Patient Information

Preparing for Glaucoma Surgery

What to know, what to discuss, and how to get ready

If your ophthalmologist has recommended surgery to manage your glaucoma, it is natural to have questions. This guide will help you understand why surgery may be the right step, what you should discuss beforehand, and how to prepare for the day of the procedure.

This information is a general guide. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions tailored to your situation.

Practical pre-operative and post-operative guide

Postoperative follow-up is as important as the surgery itself. Your surgeon will schedule frequent visits (especially in the first weeks) and adjustments may be needed. Attending every appointment and following instructions carefully is essential for a good outcome. postopP2

It is normal for vision to fluctuate during the initial recovery period. Your surgeon will guide you through each stage.

Eyelid hygiene with Ozonest wipes or Estila 10

Both eyes, eyelid margin and eyelashes. Twice a day (morning and evening). Not covered by public health insurance.

Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup

During the 3 days before the procedure.

Do not wear perfume or cologne on the day of surgery

PredForte eye drops — if indicated by your ophthalmologist

Start in the eye to be operated on. 1 drop every 8 hours (8 am — 4 pm — midnight) until the time of the procedure.

Unless otherwise instructed by your ophthalmologist, do not discontinue any eye treatment you are currently using.

Your ophthalmologist may need to suspend one or more hypotensive eye drops before surgery.

6 hours before: no solids or liquids

Only water allowed

2 hours before: nothing

Not even water

Surgery

Regular medication for hypertension should still be taken, with a sip of water.

If you take a GLP-1 receptor agonist

If you are being treated with semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), dulaglutide (Trulicity), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) or another GLP-1 analogue, fasting rules are modified:

SituationSolidsClear liquids
Without GLP-1Up to 6 h before (8 h if heavy meal)Up to 2 h before
With GLP-1 (elective, stable)24 h before: no solids — clear liquids onlyUp to 2 h before (as standard)

What are clear liquids?

Allowed: water, tea or coffee without milk, filtered juices without pulp, clear isotonic drinks, very filtered broth without fat.

NOT clear liquids: milk, smoothies, liquid yogurt, juices with pulp, thick soups, creams, purées.

Always consult your anaesthetist and surgeon. These recommendations may be adjusted according to your individual circumstances.

If you are diabetic

Consult your GP about the dose of pills or insulin (to suspend or reduce) according to the surgery schedule:

Morning surgery

You will not have breakfast

Afternoon surgery

You may have breakfast, respecting the fasting hours

If you take anticoagulants or antiplatelets

Inform both your ophthalmologist and anaesthetist. They may require interruption or substitution days before the procedure.

SintromEliquisXareltoPradaxaLixianaAspirina / AdiroTromalytDisgrenTiklid

Sintrom: Sintrom: If substitution with heparin is indicated, they will explain how at the pre-anaesthesia consultation. If not suspending, have a blood test (INR) 3–4 days before to adjust the dose to the low range.

If in doubt, consult the ophthalmologist who will operate on you.

All other medication should be taken as usual, especially treatment for high blood pressure (with a sip of water), unless otherwise indicated at pre-anaesthesia.

Do not drive

Until your ophthalmologist authorises it.

Sleep with raised headboard

25–35 degrees. Raise the bed legs or place a blanket under the mattress. Avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye.

No exertion

Do not bend your head down, cough sharply, or lift weights over 10 kg.

No pools or gyms

Until your ophthalmologist authorises it at follow-up.

Do not rub your eyes

Dry tears and drops on the cheek, without pressing the eye. Minimise touching the area in the first days.

Temporary blurry vision

It is normal to see blurry for a variable period. A period of low eye pressure is also frequent.

Artificial tears

If you use them, do not stop. After surgery they will indicate the new treatment to follow.

Anticoagulants

Do not resume antiplatelets or switch heparin back to Sintrom until your ophthalmologist indicates it at follow-up.

Go to A&E if you notice anything that does not seem normal

Yellow, green or abundant discharge

Manifest or sudden pain

Sudden increase in redness

Greater loss of vision compared to initial

During the first weeks after surgery. When in doubt, consult.

Important: communicate before the procedure

Contact your surgical team if any of the following apply in the days before your scheduled surgery:

  • You develop a cold, cough, fever, or any active infection
  • You have redness, discharge, or unusual discomfort in the eye to be operated on
  • You have started or stopped any medication since your last visit
  • You are unsure about whether to take any of your usual medications on the day of surgery
  • Your general health has changed significantly

When in doubt, call. It is always better to check than to assume.

Frequently asked questions

In most cases, glaucoma surgery is performed under local anesthesia, meaning you will be awake but your eye will be completely numb. You should not feel pain during the procedure. Your surgeon will explain the type of anesthesia planned for your specific case.

The duration varies depending on the technique, but most glaucoma procedures take between 30 and 60 minutes. Your surgeon will give you a more specific estimate based on your case.

Vision is usually blurry immediately after the procedure and may fluctuate during the first weeks of recovery. This is expected. Your surgeon will monitor your progress closely during the postoperative visits.

Generally, each eye is operated on separately, with a period between procedures. This approach is safer and allows the first eye to stabilize before addressing the second.

Need to discuss your upcoming surgery?

If you have questions about your preparation or want to schedule a preoperative visit, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Request an appointment via WhatsApp